National honour inspires surfer for future success

It is an exciting time for Mia McCarthy.

Not only has the Cowaramup teenager just finished high school, but her surfing career is soaring after a stellar year on the water.

The Margaret River Senior High School graduate recently returned from Portugal where she was the part of the 12-strong Australian team that finished second at the ISA World Junior Surfing Championship.

The 17-year-old was among possible future Olympians from a record-breaking 39 nations who came together at the Azores to battle for international honours at the tournament.

“That was definitely the biggest experience for me and the biggest event I’ve been in,” she said.

“I really enjoyed it and being over there with the Australian team was really cool.”

The current WA under-18 girls champion earned her position in the Australian team after placing second in last year’s Australian junior surfing titles. Now she is aiming for another stint on the world stage.

This year’s Surf Dive N Ski Australian Junior Surfing Titles will get under way at Philip Island on Saturday, November 26, giving participants a chance to secure a spot in the 2017 Australian junior team.

“I want to try and qualify again for worlds,” McCarthy said.

McCarthy has clocked up an impressive list of wins and accomplishments, including state under-14, 16 and 18 titles, since she started surfing competitively about six years ago.

Most recently, she was accepted into the South West Academy of Sport’s individual athlete support program.

McCarthy said she enjoyed surfing and would continue competing.

“I love being in the ocean. It’s just so free and fun,” McCarthy said.

“It’s so exciting learning new things and meeting new people.”